Coal mine haulage vehicle



W. R. BECK COAL MINE HAULAGE VEHICLE FiledAug. '26, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 1 y mM 7 m mum .T w A WM Dec. 7, i943.

w. R. BECK COAL MINE HAULAGE VEHICLE Filed Aug. 26, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet vI?.

Dec. 7, 1943.

W. R. BECK COAL MINE HAULAGE VEHICLE- Filed Aug. 26, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W//l/AM l?. BECK 'BY www?? ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1943. w, R BECK 2,3365386 con. MINE HAULAGE VEHICLE Filed Aug. 26, ,1942- 5' sheets-sheet 4n W. R. BECK COAL MINE HAULAGE VEHICLE Dec. 7, 1943.,

5 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Aug. 26, 1942 TTORNE Y Patented Dec. 7, 1943 naar OFF IC' COAL MENE HAULAGE VEHICLE Application August 26, 1942, Serial No. 456,165

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coal mine haulage vehicles, commonly known as shuttle cars or coal buggies, of the kind used for transporting coal from the working face to a main haulage station of a mine.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved vehicle structure especially adapted for use in relatively low roof conditions; to provide safer accommodations for the operator in his control platform; to provide an improved axle supporting structure; and to provide improved drive means for such vehicles. Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan View of a vehicle constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the front end of the vehicle, with a portion shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the rear end of the vehicle with parts of the motor drive and bottom conveyor shown in longitudinal sec- 1,.,

tion;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line @-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line E- of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail section taken generally in horizontal planes through the axis of a drive wheel and the axis of its drive motor;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail section showing the inner bearings for the worm drive;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail plan view of elongated chassis Il including a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced beams I2, I2 extending the full length of the vehicle and forming the side walls of a coal-carrying compartment indicated at I3. In the form shown herein, each of said beams consists of a relatively heavy plate l forming the lower portion thereof, with a lighter plate I5 welded along the top edge of plate Ill to form a vertical extension thereof, as clearly seen in Figures 4 and 5.

The chassis also has two rubber-tired drive wheels I6, I6 near the rear end, mounted on stub axle structures I'I, I1, and two rubber-tired steering wheels I8, I3 near the front end, mounted on an equalizing axle structure I9, as will presently be described in detail.

An endless ilight conveyor indicated generally at 2B extends along and forms the bottom of the coal-carrying compartment I3 for substantially the full length of the vehicle, so that the coal can be unloaded mechanically from one end thereof, in the usual manner. An operators platform 2l bearing the vehicle control devices, is provided at one corner of the vehicle outside one of the upright compartment walls I2 thereof and forwardly of the adjacent front wheel i3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The side walls I2, I2 have deck plates 22, 22 extending laterally from their upper edges along opposite sides of the vehicle merging with curved fenders 23 and 2li which form individual wells for the front and rear wheels respectively. Suitable compartments 25, 25 are formed along the outer sides of the side walls I2, I2 between the wheel wells and below the deck plates 22, 22 to provide spaces for storage batteries and electric controller equipment of the usual kind.

The side beams I2 are cross-connected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced angle members 28 and tubular members 29 extending between the upper and lower flights of the conveyor 20. The chassis structure is also stiifened by a bottom plate 36 connecting the bottom edges of the side beams I2, I2 below the lower flight of the conveyor, and a top plate 3l upon which the upper flight of the conveyor is supported.

The stub axle structures II, Il for rear wheels l5, IS each consist of a bracket 33 suitably secured as by bolting to the outer face of a side beam l2. The beam I2 is preferably reinforced at this point by a ller plate 34 welded thereto, and against which the foot of bracket 33 is secured, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The bracket 33 extends outwardly and upwardly to a horizontal cylindrical bearing 35 whichhas a stub axle 3e mounted therein. Said axle has a reduced outer end 3l on which is mounted two anti-friction members 3B, 39 which rotatably support the Wheel hub 4B of Wheel I6 (see Figure 6). The wheel I6 may be of any suitable construction, including a demountable rim tl for a rubber tire 42, carrying a brake drum 3 of the usual construction. In the form shown, however, the inner end of the wheel hub il! has a flange 44 formed integral therewith, with a drive gear 45 secured thereon as by bolting.

The drive mechanism for the wheel I 6 consists of an electric motor 41 in casing 48 disposed 10ngitudinally of the machine above and to the rear of said wheel and having an armature shaft 49 connected by coupling 59 to a worm 5I on worm shaft '52. The worm 5| is meshed with worm gear 53 fixed on stub shaft 54. A pinion 55 is also xed on said stub shaft 54 and meshes with the drive gear 45 of said wheel.

The entire drive gearing just described is rotatably mounted in and enclosed by a gear casing which is rigidly connected to the front end of the motor casing 43 to move therewith, and is also supported for pivotal rocking movement relative to the axle supporting bracket 33. In the form shown herein, the gear casing 5l has an annular bearing portion 58 rockably mounted on the outer end of the cylindrical bearing member ^(see Figures 4 and 6), and also has a yoke member 59 secured to its inner face (see Figures 6 and 7), which extends inwardly and is rockably mounted on the inner end of the axle 3B. It will be observed that the upper central portion of the bracket 33 is cut away at 6| to accommodate the end yoke 59. The outer portion of the casing 51 which surrounds the drive gear 45 of the wheel is enclosed by a removable cover plate 50.

The rear end of motor casing 48 is supported on the chassis by a suitable yielding cushion means herein co-nsisting of a cross yoke 62 rotatably secured to the rear end of the motor casing and having each of its ends pivotally connected to a supporting rod 63 which passes through a horizontally disposed anchor plate 64 fixed on the chassis. Compression springs 65, 65 are interposed between abutments at the upper and lower ends of said supporting rod and said anchor plate, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

With the motor supporting structure just described, each of the two motors 4'I and their respective gearing connections carried in gear casings 5l are free to accommodate themselves to the various twisting stresses that may be irnposed on their respective wheel structures while in operation.

The equalizing axle structure I9 for the front wheels IB, I8 includes an axle member 6'I extending transversely of the vehicle between the upper and lower flights of the conveyor 20, and pivotally connected to the chassis at its central point so as to be free for limited rocking motion in a vertical plane. In the form shown herein, a tunnel structure for the axle member 6I is formed by two transverse angle members 69, I0 spaced along on the front and rear, respectively, of said axle and welded at opposite ends to the side `plates I2, I2 (see Figures 1, 5 and 8). The upper flanges of said angle members are also secured to the top plate 3| which supports the upper flight of the conveyor 20. The ends of pivot pin E8 are supported in said angle inembers.

The side plates I2, I2 have openings II, 'II for the axle 6I, and are reinforced by arched pedestal members 12, which are welded to said side plates and form lateral guide surfaces for said axle.

The wheels I8, I8 are swiveled for steering on the usual knuckle joints 'I3 at opposite ends of the axle BI. Said wheels may be of any suitable heavy duty construction including brake drums 'f4 and detachable rims 'I5 for rubber tires 15.

' The endless conveyor 20 which extends substantially the full length of the vehicle between the side beams I2, I2 as previously described, is made up of a pair of chains 80, 8G along the sides thereof, cross connected by a plurality of flights 8|, 8|. The chains are meshed with drive sprockets 82, 82 on shaft 83 at the front or delivery end of the vehicle. Said drive shaft is suitably driven by an electric motor 84 herein mounted on the outer side of one of the side walls I2 of the vehicle opposite the operators platform 20, and suitably connected to said drive shaft through a worm and worm gear reduction in a casing indicated generally at B5, and a chain and sprocket drive 8S driven by the worm gear of said worm and worm gear reduction (see Figures 1 and 2).

The upper reach of the conveyor 2U passes over and along the horizontal plate 3| which extends between the side walls I2, I2 to define the bottom of the carrying compartment I3. veyor passes over idler sprockets 88, 38 on shaft 89 at the rear end of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The shaft 89 is rotatably mounted in journal boxes 90, 9U which are mounted for longitudinal adjustment by means of threaded bolts 9|, 9| in the usual manner to take up slack in the conveyor.

In the form shown, the rear idler sprockets 88 and shaft 89 are housed beneath a cover plate 93 which extends horizontally across the rear end of the carrying compartment and is arched upwardly at a level somewhat above the level of the conveyor. Said cover plate terminates in an arcuate rear bumper plate 94. This cover plate serves as a protection against the loading boom of a loading machine, when the latter type of machine is used for loading material into the rear end of the vehicle, whereby the loading boom may be extended directly into the rear end of the car and may rest on said cover plate, but will be held above the moving flights of the conveyor so as to avoid damaging the latter.

The chains 8|), 80 of the lower flight rest on wear strips 95, fixed along opposite sides of the bottom plate 30. A plurality of guide plates 96, 96 having upwardly angled side margins are fixed on the lower faces of the transverse angle members 28 to prevent fouling by the conveyor chains, as shown in Figure 2.

The vehicle is controlled by drive, steering and brake control members located on the operators platform 2|. Said operators platform is necessarily of limited size in vehicles of this character, and special precautions are necessary in order to provide maximum safety for the operator because of the fact that he is in a relatively hazardous position at the corner of the vehicle in case of a collision with mine abutments, or similar accidents, while he is operating the vehicle in such a cramped postion and through the relatively narrow spaces available in a mine.

In the form shown, the operators platform has two seats 97, 98 facing forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, at opposite ends of said platform and including back rests 9'!a and 98a, respectively, made of sheet metal. The arrangement is such that the operator can sit in seat 9'I while driving forwardly, and in seat 98 While driving in the reverse direction. In either position his legs will be extended horizontally along the platform toward the opposite seat.

The steering control means consists of a steering wheel IEIII on an upright post IBI, disposed centrally on the platform 2|, but mounted in a casing |02 supported on a laterally offset portion |93 of an upright bracket |04 adjacent the side Said confa's'sasse wall I2, so that said steering wheel and post overhang the platform a'substantial distance above the seats al, 98 and between the latter, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The casing |62 contains a worm and segment steering mechanism indicated -Y generally at |05, of the kind usually employed in steering devices for operating a horizontal shaft ita rotatably mounted in the offset bracket portion I E3 and having a rocking arm |06 depending from its inner end through an arcuate slot Ill'l in the upright bracket |04. The lower end of the rocking arm |05 has a drag link Hi8 pivotally connected thereto, which extends rearwardly to the steering arm IBS of the adjacent front wheel IS (see Figure 8).

The two front wheels are connected for simultaneous steering by suitable tie rod means, herein consisting of a pair of pivoted links II, III) connected at their outer ends to lever arms I I', II I, and at their inner ends to a rocker link I I2 pivotally connected to adjacent cross member 28 as shown in Figure 1.

With the steering arrangement thus described, it will be observed that the space immediately beneath the steering wheel IMI is fully open to the cuter side of the platform 2| so that the operator may slide laterally into either seat S'I or 9% with his legs extending beneath the steering post. Thus the operator is enabled to mount or dismount the vehicle much more readily than with previous constructions wherein the steering post extended to the floor, and it was necessary for him to hook one leg on the inside of the steering post while seated on the platform. This feature which affords laterally-open leg room is of especial advantage in an emergency as it permits the operator to slide out of his seat far more readily than if one of his legs were hemmed in by an upright steering post, as in former constructions.

Dual control devices are provided for the wheel brakes, herein including two foot levers ||5 and II, pivotally mounted on the upright posts and I I3, respectively, disposed at the right-hand corners of the seats 91 and S8 (see Figures 5 and 8). Said foot levers extend horizontally outwardly and inwardly, respectively, below the front ends of their respective seats 91 and 9B, and with their outer ends extending beyond the offset side edge of its respective seat, in position to be engaged by the right foot of the operator he is seated in the opposite seat.

Suitable connecting means are provided so that either of the foot levers H5 and H5 will operate a master cylinder |25 of the usual kind connected to the hydraulic brake control system the vehicle. In the form shown, said connecting means includes an operating rod I2| connected to a lever arm |22 on a shaft |23 extending transversely of the operators platform and rotatably mounted in brackets I 24, |24 at opposite ends thereof. One of the foot levers IIE is connected to the shaft |23 by a link 25 and lever arm |26, while the other foot lever I It is connected to said cross shaft |23 by a link i2? and a lever arm |28. It will be observed that the connecting link |25 is pivoted to an extended portion IIEa of ioot lever II, while the link |21 is pivoted to an intermediate portion of the other foot lever llt, so that operation of either foot lever will tend to rock the cross shaft |23 in the same direction, that is to say, in a direction tending to move the link |2| toward the master cylinder |26. Suitable spring means |29 are provided to return the foot levers to released position.

In the form shown herein, lost motion means is also provided between the links |25 and |2| and the cross shaft |23 so that operation of one of lthe foot levers will not cause operation of the other. In the form shown, said lost motion means is provided by forming the ends of the links |25 and I2'I with elongated slots |25a and |2Ia, respectively, within which the pivoted pins |26a and |23a of the respective lever arms |26 and |28 have slidable engagement. With this arrangement, when the foot lever H5 is pressed rearwardly to operate the master cylinder |20, the other foot lever IIB will not be affected. Similarly, when the foot lever IIS is depressed, the opposite foot lever H5 will remain in fixed position.

It will be observed, however, that the two foot levers ||5 and IIB are each in position to serve as an emergency hand lever, so that the operator when sitting, for instance, in seat 'i may operate the lever IIB by pushing with his right foot and at the same time operate the lever I I5 by pulling it toward him with his left hand. Similarly, while sitting in seat 98 he can operate lever ||5 with his right foot and at the same time operate lever IIE with his left hand. This feature is of especial advantage as a safety measure, if for any reason the operator may be unable to operate the foot lever in the usual manner, or may require additional braking effort in an emergency.

Dual controls may also be provided for the driving motors as for instance by means of a pair of foot levers Il, |3I, herein shown as mounted on the posts II'I and IIB above the drivers seats Sl and 98, respectively. Said control levers may be connected to a common controlling device in any suitable manner, not shown herein in detail as it forms no part of the present invention.

WhileI have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specic embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vehicle for transporting loose material, a frame consisting of a pair of laterally spaced vertical walls forming the principal longitudinal supporting members of said frame, an endless conveyor supported on said frame between said walls and forming the bottom of a materialcarrying compartment arranged to discharge material at one end of the vehicle, a pair of wheels at opposite sides of said vehicle, and individual supporting means for said wheels each comprising a bracket secured to the outer face of its adjacent side wall, and a plurality of upright reinforcing cross braces extending between the upper and lower ights of said endless conveyer, and rigidly connecting the inner faces of said side walls immediately adjacent said supporting brackets.

2. In a vehicle for transporting loose material, a main frame consisting of a pair of laterally spaced vertical walls forming the principal longitudinal supporting members of said main frame, an endless conveyor supported on said main frame between said walls and forming the bottom of a material-carrying compartment arranged to discharge material at one end of the vehicle, a pair of Wheeis at opposite sides of said vehicle, supporting brackets for said wheels secured to the outer face of its adjacent side Wall, and an independent drive mechanism for each of said wheels including a motor and gear reduction mechanism supported as a unit on a frame member outside of said wall, and havingro'cking engagement on its respective supporting bracket concentrically with the axis of its respective wheel, said motor and reduction gear unit also being yieldably connected to the main frame at a point remote from its rocking engagement with said bracket.

WILLIAM R. BECK. 

